Lorgnette.



G. LOWRES.

LORGNETTE.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 7. 1914.

Patented Apr. 27, M5.

INVENTOR 'f3-LWN?) ATTORNEYS lll GEORGE J. LOS, QF NEWARK, NEW JERSEY.

Loaf-maman.

merece.

Speccation of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 27, 19315.

Application led February 7, 1914. Serial Illa-$17,143.

T0 all *wlw/n, it may concern Be it known that I, GEORGE J. Lownns, a citizen of the United States, residing at Newark, in the county of Essex and State of New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Lorgnettes; and l do hereby declare the following to be afull, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which-it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to characters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

The present invention has reference, generally, to improvements in lorgnettes; and, the invention relates, more particularly, to a novel lorgnette handle for attachment to an ordinary pair of eye-glasses or pincenez, whereby the latter are converted into a. complete lorgnette.

The invention has for its principal object to provide a simple, cheap, and easily attachable lorgnette handle for converting the usual eye-glasses or pince-nez into a complete lorgnette, the same having a novel means for engaging or securing the eyeglasses or pince-nez in proper relation to the handle-portion, whereby the same are pivotally connected with said handle-portion, so as to be foldable with relation thereto, i. e., so that the eye-glasses or pince-nez may be folded into the said handle-portion, to be received thereby and embraced therein, when not in use, as is customary in ordinary lorgnettes; and, furthermore, the invention has for its object to provide in connection with said detachable .lorgnette-handle, an easily releasable adjustable catch or holding means for engaging the eye-glasses or pincenez when the same are received within the handle-portion, and whereby the same are retained in folded relation to said handleportion when not in use.

Other objects of this invention, not at this time more particularly mentioned, will be clearly understood from the following detailed description of the present invention.

The invention consists, primarily, in the novel construction of detachable lorgnettehandle hereinafter more fully set forth; and, furthermore, this invention consists in the various arrangements and combinations of the several parts, as well as in the details of the construction thereof, all of which will be more fully described inthe following specication and then inally embodied in the claims which are appended to and which. form an essential part of this specification. rlhe invention is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which :e

Figure l is a side elevation of detachable lorgnette handle, made according to and showing one embodiment of the principles of the present invention, an ordinary pair of eye-glasses or pince-nez being shown connected in operative relation therewith, and the handle and eye-glasses being represented in their open or unfolded relations, the dotted representation of said eye-glasses or pince-nez illustrated in connection with this view showing the closed or folded position of said eye-glasses or pince-nez with relation to the detachable lorgnette-handle.

Fig. 2 is a transverse section, taken on line 2-2 in said Fig. 1, showing a pivotal means of attachment of said eye-glasses or pincenez to said detachable lorgnette-handle, thisA view being drawn on a greatly enlarged scale. Fig. 3 is a horizontal section, taken on line 3-3 in said Fig. 2, looking down- Ward; Fig. 4 is a horizontal section of the lower end of the detachable lorgnette-handle, showing the adjustable holding catchmechanism for engaging the eye-glasses or pince-nez when the same are folded into the handle; and Fig. 5 is a vertical section of the same, taken on line 5-5 in said Fig. 4, looking in the direction of the arrow of said views being drawn on an enlarged scale.

Similar characters of reference are employed in all of the hereinabove described views, to indicate corresponding parts.

Referring now to the said drawings, the

reference-character 1 indicates the complete detachable lorgnette-handle, the same comprising a side-member 2 and a side-member 3 registered one with the other and secured together at their ends, so as to provide an intervening receiving space into which the eye-glasses or pince-nez 4 connected therewith may be folded. The said side-member 2 is bowed outwardly` as at 5, to permit of the nose-guards G of the said eye-glasses or pince-nez to pass therebeneath when the eye glasses or pince-nez are folded int-o the lorgnette-handlc.

Extending transversely between the upper registered ends 7 and 8 of the respective side-members 2 and 3 is a fulcrum-shank 9, saidshank having a fixed or non-rotating relation to said ends 7 and 8. In order to establish the said fixed or non-rotating relation of the fulcrum-shank 9, the latter is preferably formed with a rectangular crosssection, so that as the same passes through corresponding rectangular-openings in said ends 7 and 8, the f ulcrum-shank is thus retained against rotation. It will be understood, however, that I do not limit myself to such an arrangement, since there are many other ways in which the same result e may be obtained. Said fulcrum-shank 9 is provided with a head 10 which engages the exterior side of said side-member 2, and a screw 11 is screwed into the opposite end of said fulcrum-shank 9, the head 12 of said screw 11 engaging the outer surface ofsaid side-member 3, to thereby retain said fulcrum-shank in its assembled relation to said ends 7 and 8 of the respective side-members 2 and 3.

Pivotally mounted upon said fulcrumshank 9, so as to lie between said ends 7 and 8 of the respective side-members 2 and 3, is a spring-actuated coupling-member adapted to engage with said eye-glasses or pincenez 4 and connect the same operatively with saidl lorgnette-handle. The said couplingmember comprises a block 13 provided with an openin 14. The outer end of said block 13 is provided with a concave seat-portion S, against which one of the lens of the eyeglasses or pince-nez 4 is caused to abut or seat itself. Connected with opposite sides of said block 13 are the respective platemembers 15 and 16, the same being adapted to close over the opening 14 of said block 13, but at the same time being each provided with centrally disposed perforations 17 through which the said fulcrum-shank 9 is passed, and whereby the respective platemembers 15 and 16 and said block 13 are pivotally mounted upon said fulcrum-shank. Extending outwardly from said plate-member 15 is an embracing-arm 18 whichis adapted to extend over one side of a lens of the eye-glasses or pince-nez 4, and extending outwardly from the plate-member 16 is a similar embracing-arm 19 which is'adapted to extend over the opposite side of the said lens. Secured upon the outer surface of the said plate-member 15 isa spring-plate 20, the free end of which extends beyond the outer end of said embracingarm 18 and forms a finger-piece 21, by means of which the said spring-plate 20 may be lifted or manipulated. Secured to the outer end of said spring-plate 20 is a downward extending coupling-pin 22 which passes through an Opening 23 with which said embracing-arm 18 is provided. l

The reference-character 24 indicates a coiled spiral spring, the inner end 25 of which is suitably secured to said fulcrumshank 9. As thus arranged, said spiral ribbon or chain is usually passed, said perforation 28 being located ,at the outer marginal edge of the lens. The cord, ribbon, or chain being removed from said perforation 28, the eye-glasses or pince-nez 4 may be connected with the coupling-member of the novel detachable lorgnette-handle in the following Inanner The end of the perforated lens of the eyeglasses or pince-nez 4 is inserted between the respective embracing arms 18 and 19. The

ledge of the lens engages a chambered nosing 29 with which said coupling-pin 22 is provided, an'd when pushed against the same causes the said coupling-pin 22 to move or lift upwardly, against the tension of said spring-plate 20 with which the latter is connected, and thereupon rides upon the surface of the said lens, and, as the said lens is pushed inwardly to seat the same againstl the seat-portion 5 of said block 13, the perforation 28 of the lens registers beneath said coupling-pin 22, which under the pressure of said spring-plate 20 is caused to enter said perforation 28 and thus locks the said lens between the sai-d embracing-arms 18 and 19 and seated against said seat-portion S of the block 13, whereby the eye-glasses or pince-nez are pivotally coupled to said lorguette-handle. The tension of said spiral spring 24 tends to throw and maintain the eye-glasses in their unfolded or opened relation to said lorgnette-handle, such position being preferably at right angles to the lorgnette-handle. The end 8 vof the sidemember 3 is -provided with upwardly extending lugs or tongues 30 and 31, which respectively engage said coupling-member and tend to limit the unfolding and folding movements of the same.

If it is desired to remove the eye-glasses or pince-nez from their connected relation with the coupling-member, the finger-piece 21 of the spring-plate 2O is engaged by the finger and lifted so as to raise said springplateand thereby lift the coupling-pin 22 out of the perforation 28 of the lens of said eye-glasses or pince-nez, whereupon the same may be withdrawn from the seat-portion S and from between the embracing arms 18 and 19.

The respective lower ends of said sidemembers 2 and 3 are formed to provide han die-portions 32 and 33, the same being in registration with each other, and are secured in such relation by suitable fastening screws Si. or any other suitablefastening means. Secured between said registered handle-portions 32 and 33 is an vintervening guide'- plate which is provided with a longitudinall y extending opening or cutaway portion 36 in which is slidably arranged, so as to be longitudinally adjustable therein, a carrierplate 37. Pivotally mounted upon said earrier-plate 37 is a holding-catch member 38, the upper edge of which is cut out to form a concave seat-portion 39, which corresponds to the periphery of a lens of said eye-glasses or pince-nez 4, so that the latter may be received thereby and seated therein. Connected with said holding-catch member 38 is a. downwardly extending tongue 40, which engages a stud 41 secured upon said carrierplate 37` and thereby fixes the normal holding position of said holding-catch member 38. by limiting or stopping its oscillation in an upward direction. One outer free end of said holding-catch member 38 is provided with a pair ot oppositely extending, upwardly turned, and laterally extending arms 42 which embrace the lens of the eyeglasses or pince-nez 4 when seated in said seat-portion 39, and which prevent any lateral movement ot the lens tending to unseat or disengage the same from its held enga gement with said holding-catch member 38. ,One ot said arms 42 is provided with an outwardly project-ing extension 43 which serves as a finger-piece for manipulating or oscillating said holding-catch member 38 to release the said lens ot the eye-glasses or pince-nez from its held engagement therewith. A spring member 44 is arranged between said holding-catch member 38 and a portion ot said carrier-plate 37, the tension ot which tends to maintain said holdingcatch member 38 in proper engagement with the lens of the eye-glasses or pince-nez.

Vilhcn it is so desired, the eye-glasses or pince-nez 4 may be folded into the receiving space between the two side-members 2 and 3: and when so folded, the lens at the free end ot said eye-glasses o r pince-nez is swung inwardly against the holding-catch member the outer end of which oscillates or moves downwardly against the tension of the spring-member 44, to allow the periphcry ot the lens to pass into engagement with and seat. itselt upon the seat-portion 39. 'ihe spring-member 44 now tends to maintain the holding-catch member in such holding relation. and the latter by thus engaging the tree end et the eye-glasses or pince-nez i. restrains the same from being thrown or swung outwardly by the action of the spiral spring 24, as above described, until said holding-catch member 3S is released from its holding relation with the same. By pressing downwardly upon the inger-piece 43, said holding-catch member 38 may be depressed so as to remove the same from obstructing the outwardly swinging movement of the eye-glasses or pince-nez, as caused by the tension or pressure of the spiral-spring 24.

As eye-glasses or pince-nez vary in length, due to the use of various sizes of lenses and mountings, it is necessary to provide som'e means for adjusting the position of the said holding-catch member 38, so as to accommodate the saine to the length of the particular eye-glasses or pince-nez with which it is desired to use the novel detachable lorgnettehandle. To this end, the said carrier-plate 37 is movable vertically in the opening or cutaway portion 36 of the guide-plate 35, so

that the holding-catch member may be moved up or down to iX the same in proper position to accommodate the lens at the free end of the eye-glasses or pince-nez. When thus properly adjusted, the carrier-plate may be secured against movement, and, to this end` the said carrier-plate 37 is provided with an elongated slot 45 through which passes the shank of a screw 46 fixed in one of the handle-portions 32 or 33. Said screw 4G screws into a nut 47, so that by tightening up the screw 46, the nut 47Y is drawn against the carrier-plate 37, and binds the same tightly between said nut and a handle-portion against any further movement.

From the above description it will beapparent that my present invention providesa very simple and easily operatedidetachable lorgnettc-handle which may be easily and quickly attached to any ordinary pair of eye-glasses or pince-nez` to thereby convert the same into a lorgnette capable of being used in the same manner as the ordinary and well known constructions of lorgnettes.

I am aware, thatsome changes may be made in the various arrangements and combinations of the several devices and parts, as well as in the details of the construction of the said parts, without departing. from the scope of the present invention-as described in the foregoing specification, and as delined in the claims which are appended hereto. lience. I do not limit my invention to the exactarrangements and combinations o' the various devices -and parts as herein set iorth` and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. nor do I confine myselt to the exact details of the construction ot the said parts.

l claim 1. The combination with a lorgnctte-handle provided with a reccivii'ig space. ot' a pair of eye-glasses pivotally mounted in said space but separably connected with said lorgnette-handle, whereby the eye-glasses can be disconnected from the handle and used also in the manner of ordinary eyeglasses, and a means otn adjustment connected with the handle, for detachably connecting eye-glasses having different sized lenses to said handle.

2. A detachable lorgnette-handle, com? prising 'a pair of side-members secured together so as to provide an intervening space therebetween, a spring-actuated couplingmember pivotally mounted between the upper ends of .said ,side-members, said coupling-member having means for gripping one lens of an ordinary pince-nez, and a holding-catch member mounted between the v lower ends of said side-members for engaging the other lens of said pince-nez when the latter is folded into the said space between said side-members- 3. A detachable lorgnette-handle for attachment to ordinary pince-nez, comprising a pair of superimposed side-members secured together to provide an intervening bowed-out portion to permit the nose-guards,

of said pince-nez to pass thereunder, means lor detachably and pivotally-connecting said pince-nez with one end of said loi-guettehandle, and an adjustable holding-catch member connected with said lorgnette handle for holding said pince-nez in its folded relation to said handle.

5. A detachable lorgnette-handle for attachment to ordinary pince-nez comprising la pair of superimposed side-members se-` cured together to provide an intervening space into which said pince-nez may be folded, a fulcrum-shank extending transversely between the upper ends of said 'side-mein? bers, a pair of plate-members pivotally mounted upon said fulcrum-shank, a block mounted between said plate-membersand to which the latter are secured, outwardly extending embraeing-arms connected with said plate-members betneen which a lens of said pince-nez is receivable, means for locking said lens in embraced relationbetween said embracing-arms. and a springmeans for rotating said plate-members to throw outwardly said embracing-arms so as to carry said pince-nez at substantially right angles to said lorgnette-handle.

6. A detachable lorgnctte-handle for attachment to ordinary pince-nez comprising a pair of superimposed side-members secured together to provide an intervening vspace into which said pince-nez may be foldsaid plate-members between which a lens of said pince-nez is receivable, means for locking said lens in embraced relation between said embracing-arms, a springmeans for rotating said plate-members to throw outwardly said embracingarms so as to carry said pince-nez at substantially right angles to said lorgnette-handle, and anadjustable holding-catch member connected with said lorgnette-handle for engaging the lens at the free end of said pince-nez to hold the latter inits .folded relation to said handle.

7. A detachable lorgnette-handle for atf tachment toordinary pince-nez, comprising a pair of superimposed side-members secured together to provide an intervening space into which said pince-nez may be folded, a ulcrum-shank extending transversely between the upper ends of' said side-members, a pair of plate-members pivotally mounted u pon said fulcrum-shank, a block provided with-a central opening mounted between said plate-members and to which the latter are secured, the outer end of said block having a concave seat-portion, outwardly extending embracing-arms connected with said plate-members between which a lens of said pince-nez is receivable when its periphery is seated upon the seat-portion of said block, a spring-plate secured uponone of said plate-members, a downwardly eX- tending coupling-pin connected with said spring-plate, said plate-member with which said spring-plate is'connected having a perforation through which 'said coupling-pin projects, said coupling-pin being adapted to pass into a perforation of a lens of said pince-nez when the same vis embraced b v said embracing-arms, a spring arranged within the opening of said block, the inner end of said spring being anchored to said fulcrumshank, a transverse anchor-pin extending between said plate-members to which the outer end of said spring is secured, and stop-lugs connected with one of the side-members of said lorgnette-handle adapted to limit the rotating movement of said plate-members.

8. A detachable lorgnette-handle for attachment to ordinary pince-nez, comprising a pair of superimposed side-members secured together to provide an intervening space into which said pince-nez may be folded.I a fulcrum-shanlc extending transversely between the upper ends of said side-menibers, a pair of plate-members pivotally mounted upon said fulcrum-shank, a block provided with a central opening mounted between said plate-members and to which the latter are secured, the outer endA of said block having a conca-ve seat-portion, outwardly extending embracing-arms connected with said plate-members between which a. lens of said pince-nez is receivable when its periphery is seated upon the seat-portion of said block, a spring-plate secured upon one of said plate-members, a downwardly eX- tending coupling-pin 'connected with said spring-plate, said plate-member with which said spring-plate is connected having a perforation through which said coupling-pin projects, said coupling-pin being adapted to pass into a perforation of a lens of said pince-nez when the same is embraced by said embracing-arms, a spring arranged within the opening of said block, the inner end of said spring being anchored to'said fulcrumshank, a transverse anchor-pin extending between said plate-'members to 'which the outer end of said spring is secured, stoplugs connected with one of the side-members of said lorgnette-handle adapted to limit the rotating movements of said plate-members, and an adjustable -holding-catch member connected with said lorgnette-handle for engaging the lens at the free end of said pince-nez to lation to said handle.

9. A detachable lorgnette-handle, for attachment to ordinary pince-nez, comprising a pair of superimposed side-members secured together to provide an intervening space into which said pince-nez may be folded, means for detachably and pivotally connecting said pince-nez with one end of said lorgnette-handle, a guide-plate having a vertically extending opening therein secured between the lower ends of said side-members,` a carrier-plate vertically movable in said opening. means for locking said carrierplate in vertically adjusted positions, a holding-catch member pivotally connected with the upper end of said carrier-plate, said holding-catch member having a concave seatportion at its upper edge for engaging the periphery of the lens at the free end ot said pince-nez when the latter is folded between said side-members, and a spring-member be.- tween said holding-catch member and a portion of said carrier-plate for maintaining the former in holding engagement with the lens of said pince-nez.

10. A detachable lorgnette-handle for attachment to ordinary pince-nez, comprising a. pair of superimposed side-members secured together to provide an intervening space into which vsaid pince-nez maybe folded. means tor detachablyY and pivotally connecting said pince-nez with one end of said lorgnette-handle. a guide-plate having a vertically extending opening therein secured between the lower ends of said side-members, a carrier-plate vertically movable in said Aing-catch member pivotally hold the latter in its folded reopening, means for locking said carrierplate in vertically adjusted positions, a holdconnected with the upper end of said carrier-plate, said holding-catch member having a concave seat-portion at its upper edge for engaging the periphery of the lens at the free end of said pince-nez when the latter is folded between said side-members, a spring-member between said holding-catch member and a portion of said carrier-plate for maintaining the former in holding engagement with the lens of said pince-nez, stop-means for limiting the upward Voscillation of said holding-catch member, and laterally and upwardly extending arms connected with the free end of said holding-catch member and adapted to embrace the marginal edges of the lens of said pince-nez when seated in said seat-portion of said holding-catch member.

11. A detachable lorgnette-handle'ifor atl cured together to provide an intervening space into which said pince-nez may be folded, a fulcrum-shank-extending transversely between the upper ends of said sidemembers, a pair of plate-members pivotally mountedupon said fulcrum-shanlr, a block provided with a central opening mounted between said plate-members and to which the latter are secured, the outer end ot said block having a concave seat-portion, outwardly extending embracing-arms connected with said plate-members between which a lens of said pince-nez is receivable when its periphery is seated upon the seat-portion of said block, a spring-plate secured upon' one of said plate-members, a downwardly extending coupling-pin connected with said spring-plate, said plate-member with which said spring-plate is connected having a perforation through which said coupling-pin projects, said coupling-pin being adapted to pass into a perforation of a lens of said pince-nez when the same is embraced by said embracing-arms` a spring arranged within the opening of said block, the inner end of said spring being anchored to said fulcrum-shank, a transverse anchor-pin extending between said plate-members to which the outer end of said spring is secured, stop-lugs connected with one oi the side-members of said lorgnette-handle adapted to limit the rotating movement ot said plate-members` a guide-plate having a vertically extending opening therein secured between the lower ends of said side-members. a carrier-plate vertically movable in said opening` means for locking said 'carrierplate in vertically adjusted position. a holding-catch member pivotally connected with the upper end of said carrier-plate, said holding-catch member having a concave seat-portion at its upper edge for engaging the periphery of the lens at the free end of said pince-nez when the latter is folded between said side-members,` a spring-member adapted to embrace the mar 'nal edges of the lens of said pince-nez w en seated in said seat-portion of said holding-catch 15 member.

In testimony that I claim the invention set forth above l this 21st day of January, 1914.

GEORGE J. LoWREs.'

Witnesses:

` FRED K. C. FRAENTZEL,

FREDK H. W. FRAENTZEL.

have hereunto set my hand l 

